Volkswagen has introduced a performance upgrade for its ID.3 electric vehicle in the UK, requiring owners to pay extra to unlock their vehicle’s full potential. The upgrade, which offers an additional 27 horsepower, is priced at £649 ($880) or £16.50 ($22) per month.
The one-time fee is attached to the vehicle and not the buyer, meaning it will be transferred if the car is sold. However, the monthly payment of nearly three times that of a standard Netflix subscription has sparked criticism from some owners.
This move follows similar actions by other brands such as Audi USA and BMW in Europe, which have introduced performance upgrades for their vehicles. Volkswagen claims the upgrade does not affect the vehicle’s range.
Source: https://electrek.co/2025/08/14/volkswagen-making-ev-owners-pay-extra-to-unlock-full-potential